News & Stories
Freedom to Heal: Equine-Assisted Support for Youth Mental Health
Supporting youth mental health takes more than good intentions—it takes connection, compassion, and community. Across Northwest Michigan, local nonprofits, donors, and youth leaders are coming together to create meaningful change.
One powerful example of this collaboration is the work being done to support equine-assisted learning programs at Free Rein Farm of Bellaire, which offers young people a chance to heal, grow, and thrive through nature-based experiences.
With donor support and grant funding from our Youth Endowment—which our youth-led Youth Advisory Councils direct—Free Rein Farm has been able to offer financially accessible programs in 2024 aimed at helping youth build emotional resilience and find peace in the presence of horses and open spaces.
“When we teach a young person how to navigate life’s struggles and equip them with tools to deal with these issues, they will be healthier throughout their lives,” said Kristin Molby, a certified facilitator in Equine Assisted Philosophy at Free Rein Farm. “The hurdles of life will still be there, but they will be able to cope with them in healthier ways.”
Equine activities and communing with nature are scientifically proven to have many therapeutic benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and heart rate, alleviating stress, and reducing anxiety and depression. When tackling mental health issues, rural Michigan counties need all the support they can get.
“We are located in a small, rural area, and most of the funding for mental health currently goes to bigger cities,” shared Kristin. “This leaves our low-income, rural communities overlooked and neglected. Our nonprofit is doing its best to fill the gaps, so we are incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation for its partnership in aiding our life-saving efforts.”
This shared commitment to youth well-being is echoed by community members who believe deeply in the power of connection, compassion, and creative approaches to mental health. Among them are our donor partners, Linda and Chuck Mueller, Grand Traverse County residents.
As a retired social worker and early childhood educator, respectively, Chuck and Linda have been advocates for children of all ages throughout their careers and as Community Foundation donor partners.
“We both have focused on supporting youth, and their mental health is one of our top priorities,” said Chuck. “The equine therapy program provides alternative types of experiences for people to help with their mental health issues.”
A proponent of animal-assisted therapy, Chuck also advocates for connecting with nature as an important means of alleviating mental health struggles—a viewpoint that aligns perfectly with Free Rein Farm’s programming, making his contributions to the Youth Endowment a perfect fit.
The other component in this interconnected work is the dedication of our YAC members, like Kyley Fuller, a student at Ellsworth Community School. Kyley is passionate about positively impacting her community through leadership, collaboration, and decision-making, like reviewing and awarding grants alongside other YAC members.
Fuller cites Free Rein Farm as a worthy recipient of Youth Endowment grants due to its strong commitment to supporting youth and its transformative programming.
“The farm offers a unique and effective approach to helping youth build confidence, develop leadership skills, and overcome challenges,” Fuller added. “The funding will allow them to expand and enhance their programs, reaching even more youth in the community who can benefit from these life-changing experiences.”
A true team effort involving youth, adults, and a dedicated nonprofit makes our community a better, stronger place—one grant at a time.
Writer: Alex Daily